BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick on Wednesday announced that federal low-income heating assistance for Massachusetts is set to be cut by about 28 percent this year.

The maximum benefit for low-income people who heat with oil this winter will be $1,025, down from $1,090 last year, said Mary-Leah Assad, spokesman for the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The maximum aid will be $525 for those who heat with gas or electricity, down from $915 last year.

The fuel assistance program serves about 45,000 low-income households in Western Massachusetts.

The Republican file photoAl Norman

Al Norman, executive director of Massachusetts Home Care in Montague, a private nonprofit network of elder agencies, said the federal cut means many low-income people must decide whether to "heat or eat" this winter.

"We need more money," Norman said Wednesday.

The federal government is expected to provide Massachusetts with nearly $133 million this year for the low-income heating assistance, down about 28 percent from about $183 million last year, according to the administration.

Norman said he was disappointed that Patrick failed to offer any state money for the program on Wednesday. Norman said advocates are seeking $30 million state contribution this year to protect people from having to choose between food and heating fuel.

Norman said Patrick should follow the example of Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and legislators in Vermont, who announced last week that the state would add $6.1 million to help compensate for federal cuts in the heating assistance.

Associated PressMass. Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during a news conference outside his office at the Statehouse.

Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, vice-chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said legislators are taking a serious look at possibly providing state money for the program. "I personally believe it will be good if we can do that," Kulik said.

Assad said Patrick does plan to push for additional federal aid for the program. Patrick has been very involved with attempting to increase the federal aid, including organizing a coalition of governors in the Northeast and working closely with Congress.

Though the cut in federal aid will be 28 percent for Massachusetts, the state did receive additional federal funds of nearly $22 million last week and expects to eventually receive a total of $132.7 million this year. The additional aid allowed for sharp increases in maximum benefit levels from earlier estimates for this year.

The announcement from the governor emphasized that the state received a funding increase from the original allocation late last year and the benefit levels will be double where they started in November.

"As winter’s cold weather arrives, this additional funding is crucial to help many of our neighbors heat their homes," Patrick said in a statement.

According to Assad, the maximum benefit for oil heat was cut less than those serviced by gas or electric utilities, partly because oil prices are high. The assistance also needs to pay for the minimum of 100 gallons of oil that suppliers will provide in one delivery, she added.

In addition, state regulations prohibit gas and electric utilities from shutting off low-income, elderly and disabled customers for non-payment until near the end of the heating season.

The funding, provided through local agencies, is vital for people in Western Massachusetts.

During the prior fiscal year, the Valley Opportunity Council in Holyoke, which serves all of Hampden County except Springfield, received applications from 18,735 households and provided an average benefit of $751 to 16,915 households.

At the New England Farm Workers Council, which services Springfield, 15,338 households applied for assistance. The agency provided an average benefit of $753 to 12,347 households, according to data from the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions received 10,904 applications and provided an average benefit of $731 to 9,001 households.

The Berkshire Community Action Council in Pittsfield received 9,295 applications and awarded an average benefit of $758 to 8,151 households.

Statewide, about 211,000 households received an average benefit of $744.